Although the ancient Roman site of Diocletian's Palace in Split has been a topic of scientific interest for a long time, there has been no full consensus about some of its basic elements, including the original purpose of the building, its initial appearance, and the present reconstruction. Traditionally, Diocletian’s Palace has been described as a unique combination of an imperial villa and a typical Roman military camp, but recent research has established the probable original purpose as the imperial manufactory of textiles.

In his lecture, Diocletian’s Palace: Design and Construction, Dr. Goran Nikšić will examine the adaption of the building as the residence of the retired Emperor, which most likely occurred during initial construction. Dr. Nikšić’s architectural analysis will reveal the mistakes in design and execution, and unfinished decoration that can be explained by the building’s change of purpose, amplified by the very short deadline given to the builders by the Emperor, who probably retired to his palace in Split earlier than originally planned. Finally, a new interpretation will be given of this complex site, in terms of design and construction process.

Goran Nikšić is the City Archaeologist and Architect for City of Split in Croatia (Service for the Old City Core), and the Senior Lecturer on architectural conservation at the University of Split. He holds his degrees from the University of Zagreb (Ph.D.), the University of York, and the University of Belgrade. His areas of specialization are architectural conservation and the history of architecture, particularly Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance architecture. From 2004 on he has served as an expert for ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and Sites). The lecture will take place at San Diego State University, Arts & Letters Room 101.